Major cannabis haul seized in Western Region as police foil trafficking attempt

The Western Regional Police Command has disrupted what appears to be a large-scale drug trafficking operation, intercepting two trucks and confiscating 152 bales of compressed substances believed to be cannabis. Three suspects are now in custody following coordinated intelligence-led actions in Shama Municipality and the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

The operation began late Sunday afternoon when officers flagged down a Kia truck, registration GE 8965-12, at the Assorku Barrier. The vehicle, traveling from Accra toward Takoradi, was found to be carrying bags of suspected narcotics hidden beneath layers of sawdust.

Police say three men attempted to flee the scene, but one, identified as Moses Kweku Tawiah, was apprehended immediately. His arrest provided crucial intelligence that set the stage for a second interception later that evening.

Acting on information from the first arrest, officers tracked and stopped another Kia truck, registration GS 3368-17, at Nkroful Junction. Inside, they discovered a similar cargo of tightly packed bales.

In total, the two vehicles were carrying 152 bales, each containing around 80 parcels of compressed material suspected to be Indian hemp. The seizure represents one of the largest in the region in recent months, highlighting the scale of trafficking networks operating along Ghana’s western corridor.

The investigation took another turn when two men, Kwabena Forson (55) and Isaac Kwame Kontor (44), allegedly tried to bribe police officers with GH¢69,000 to secure Tawiah’s release. Officers rejected the offer and immediately placed both men under arrest.

Western Regional Police PRO, Superintendent Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, praised the officers involved for their vigilance and professionalism. She underscored the Command’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking, warning: “The police remain on high alert and will ensure that anyone caught transporting or dealing in narcotic substances within the region faces the full rigour of the law.”

Authorities are continuing investigations to trace the origins and intended destinations of the seized cargo. Police believe the arrests could provide leads into broader trafficking networks that funnel narcotics through Ghana’s coastal regions.